The GEOMIMIC project addresses one of the most pressing global challenges: climate change. As Europe advances toward climate neutrality, the European Green Deal highlights the need for innovative and effective strategies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Among these, carbon capture and storage (CCS) -including carbon mineralization- offers a promising solution for permanent and safe CO2 storage.
GEOMIMIC focuses on carbon mineralization in mafic rocks, a process in which CO2 is converted into stable carbonate minerals through chemical reactions with rock-forming minerals. By integrating field observations, laboratory experiments, and advanced simulations, the project aims to improve understanding of fluid flow and fracture-matrix interactions to enhance the efficiency of CO2 storage in fractured mafic formations. The project's main objectives are to:
• Analyze how fracture networks, fluid flow and geochemical reactions influence CO2 mineralization in mafic rocks;
• Develop laboratory and numerical tools to evaluate the coupled hydro-chemo-mechanical behavior of the system;
• Provide open-access data and results to support future CCS initiatives and promote knowledge transfer across Europe and beyond.
The expected impact is twofold: scientific and societal. Scientifically, GEOMIMIC will generate new knowledge on the behavior of fractured rocks and carbon mineralization processes, informing future research and innovation in geoscience and energy transition technologies. Societally, the project contributes to Europe's climate goals by supporting the development of reliable and sustainable CCS methods, potentially influencing new industrial practices and policy decisions across sectors.
